The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-05-21

the procession made Its appearance. They
were soon followed by President Cleveland,
escorted by General Anderson and Sccre-
tary and Mrs. Fairchild, Colonel and Hrs.
Lamont, Postmaster General Villas and Sec
retary Lamar. Mrs. Cleveland came accom-
panied by Mrs. Folsom, Miss Bayard and
Miss Welsh, just after one o'clock, and took
her seat beside the Presidents chair. Ex-
Secretary Window and ex-Attorney Gen.
eral McVeagh, of President Garfied's Cabi-
net, were among the guests present.
Az 1.10 o'clock Marshal Wilson, taking
his place on the stand, said:
Attention, ladies' and gentlcmcn-The So
cicty OF the Army OF the Cumberland with these
distinguished guests, are assembled here today
for the purpose OF unveiling the statue OF that
eminent statesman and soldier, James A. Gar
field. The exercises will be opened with prayer
by Dr. Giesy.
In his prayer the Clergyman referred in
glowing language to the merits Of the illus
trious statesman TO whom the statue was
erected. The Marine Band surrounding the
monument struck up "Hal to the Chief"
and amid the clapping of hands the Amer
ican flag enveloping the statue was dropped
and the great bronze image stood exposed
to the rays of the midday sun.
There was short lull in the proceedings
while u battery of artillery fired national
salute. General Sheridan then introduced
the orator Of the day-General j. Warren
Keifer-who, on the part Of the monument
committee, delivered an address transfer
ring the statue to General Sheridan.
The statue unveiled to-day, the orator
said, was not alone in honor of citizen
distinguished for good qualities of head and
heart, nor alone to a scholar eminent for
his attainments, nor alone to soldier
renowned for his bravery and successful
high command, nor alone to statesman
and politician as wise and prudent as he
was outspoken and bold, nor yet alone to a
Chief Magistrate, who welded the scepter
of power in the interest of the citizen, but
to one who combined within himself all
these various characters, and illustrated all
these qualities in single life. This statue
was mainly a tribute from Garfield's imme-
diate companions of the Army of the Cum
berland, prompted by love born of camp,
bivouac and battle; yet, in larger sense,
it was the nations tribute to the memory
Of a citizen, educator, soldier, statesman
and ruler
After brief description of the monu-
ment, General Keifer sketched Gartield's
career as scholar, teacher, soldier, states
man and President, from his boyhood to
the day Of his death, and then, in closing,
said
MY CoMRADEs-He now musters with that
larger part OF the Army OF the Cumberland
who, having paid the penalty of, devotion to
cause and country, and fulfilled life's earthly
mission, have passed on to join the Grand Army
OF the Republic beyond the grave. We are all
soon to be there, and muster again as one re-
united host. Comrades, this splendid statue is
worthy Of you who conceived it, and it is
worthy OF the great sculptor who created it;
and 1t is also worthy of him whose life and
character is so mperfectly described by me,
and SO grandy symbolized by the artist. En-
,g, 11n
less vandal or iconoclast may demolish 1t, or
Time, that destroyer of all things not fashioned
by Omnipotence, will crumbe 1t to dust What
the artist has done and what we may do or say
here to perpetuate his name or fame may pass
away and be forgotten But the sun OF his glory
has risen. full-orbed, high in the armament OF
on through the ages. Socrates was condemned
to drink the fatal cup of hemlocl. and thus
give up his mortal body but his philosophy the
field was doomed to fall by fatal bullet. and
thus surrender his mortal body, but his words
and deeds did not die; they belong to eternity;
for past example compared with present duty;
he believed in q morning star Of progress reign
ing perpetually in the armament of our repub-
lie. to set only when
The eternal morning
Pales in its glories all the lights of Time.
So may We, guided and controlled by this
bright star OF progress, continue with the best
light within us to perform towards our fellow
men and our country the full mission Of the
present life, remembering that
"New occasions teach new duties:
Times make ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still, and onward,
Who would keep abreast Of Truth.
Lo, before us CLEAN her camp-fires,
We ourselves must pilgrims be.
Launch our Mayfiower, and steer boldly
Through the desperate winter sea,
Nor attempt the Futures portal
With the Past's blood-rusted key"
At its conclusion General Sheridan, in
behalf of the society, transferred the statue
to the President in the following words:
MIR. PREsIDENT-Tnis statue which has been
unveiled in your presence to-day was erected by
the comrades OF General Garfield belonging to
the Army Of the Cumberland. They recognized
some testimony to that merit and his worth as
u man. have the honor, sir, on behalf Of the
Society OF the Army Of the Cumberland. to ask
pie, to accept the statue from their hands as it
was given to me.
The President, who arose as General
Sheridan began speaking, then began his
address, accepting the statue as gift to
the nation.
FELLOW CTTIZENs-In performance Of the
duty assigned to me ON this occasion, hereby
accept, on behalf OF the people Of the United
States, this complete and beautiful statue.
Amid the interchange Of fraternal greetings be.
berland and their former foes upon the battle.
field and while the Union General and the
peoples President awaited burial, the common
grief of these magnanimous survivors and
mourning citizens found expression In the de.
termination to erect this tribute to American
greatness, and thus to-day, In its symmetry and
beauty, 1t presents o sign OF animosities forgot
ten, an emblem OF o brotherhood redeemed and
q token Of nation restored.
Monuments and statues multiply throughout
the land, fttirgly illustrative of the love and
affection OF our grateful people, and commemo
rating brave and patriotic sacrifices in war, fame
in peaceful pursuits, or honor In public station
But from this day forth there shall stand at
our seat OF government this statue OF q dis
tinguished citizen who in his life and services
combine all these things and more, which chal-
lenge admiration in American character--loving
tenderness in every domestic relation bravery
on the field OF battle, fame and distinction in
and halls of legislation, and the highest honor
our dignity in the Chief Magistracy Of the ma
tion.
This stately effigy shall not fail to teach every
beholder that the source o. American greatness
is confined to no condition, nor dependent alone
for its growth and development upon favorable
surroundings. The genius OF our national life
beckOns to usefulness and honor to those in
every sphere, and offers the highest preferment
tened and consecrated by patriotic hopes and
aspirations. AS long MS this statue stands let II
be proudly remembered that to every American
citizen the way is open to fame and station,
until he
Moving up from high to higher,
Becomes on Fortunes crowning slope
The pillar OF o Peoples hope
The center OF Worlds's DESIRE"
Nor can we forget that 1t also teaches our peo-
pie sad and distressing lesson; and the
thoughtful citizen who views its fair proper
tions cannot fail to recall the tragedy of death
which brought grief ind mourning to every
household In the land. But while American
citizenship lstands aghast and affrighted that
murder and assassination should lurk In the
midst OF free people, and strike down the head
OF their government o fearless search and the
discovery OF the origin and hiding place of these
hateful and unnatural things should be followed
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